Partridge

Partridge Par"tridge (p[aum]r"tr[i^]j), n. [OE. partriche, pertriche, OF. pertris, perdriz, F. perdrix, L. perdix, -icis, fr. Gr. pe`rdix.] (Zo["o]l.) 1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of the genus {Perdix} and several related genera of the family {Perdicid[ae]}, of the Old World. The partridge is noted as a game bird. [1913 Webster]

Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common European, or gray, partridge ({Perdix cinerea}) and the red-legged partridge ({Caccabis rubra}) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known species. [1913 Webster]

2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging to {Colinus}, and allied genera. [U.S.] [1913 Webster]

Note: Among them are the bobwhite ({Colinus Virginianus}) of the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge ({Oreortyx pictus}) of California; the Massena partridge ({Cyrtonyx Montezum[ae]}); and the California partridge ({Callipepla Californica}). [1913 Webster]

3. The ruffed grouse ({Bonasa umbellus}). [New Eng.] [1913 Webster]

{Bamboo partridge} (Zo["o]l.), a spurred partridge of the genus {Bambusicola}. Several species are found in China and the East Indies.

{Night partridge} (Zo["o]l.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.]

{Painted partridge} (Zo["o]l.), a francolin of South Africa ({Francolinus pictus}).

{Partridge berry}. (Bot.) (a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant ({Mitchella repens}) of the order {Rubiace[ae]}, having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs with the ovaries united, and producing the berries which remain over winter; also, the plant itself. (b) The fruit of the creeping wintergreen ({Gaultheria procumbens}); also, the plant itself.

{Partridge dove} (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Mountain witch}, under {Mountain}.

{Partridge pea} (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous herb ({Cassia Cham[ae]crista}), common in sandy fields in the Eastern United States.

{Partridge shell} (Zo["o]l.), a large marine univalve shell ({Dolium perdix}), having colors variegated like those of the partridge.

{Partridge wood} (a) A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It is obtained from tropical America, and one source of it is said to be the leguminous tree {Andira inermis}. Called also {pheasant wood}. (b) A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for walking sticks and umbrella handles.

{Sea partridge} (Zo["o]l.), an Asiatic sand partridge ({Ammoperdix Bonhami}); -- so called from its note.

{Snow partridge} (Zo["o]l.), a large spurred partridge ({Lerwa nivicola}) which inhabits the high mountains of Asia; called also {jermoonal}.

{Spruce partridge}. See under {Spruce}.

{Wood partridge}, or {Hill partridge} (Zo["o]l.), any small Asiatic partridge of the genus {Arboricola}. [1913 Webster]